A pale girls guide to self tanning

Quick note- I used Bare Minerals Faux Tan on my right leg up there :)

So I've been wanting to do a tanning post for a while and decided this little segue between summer and winter would be perfect! My summer tan is longggggg gone :'( because I work inside allll day everyday AND because I don't really tan outside or in tanning beds anymore.

I've worked in *3* different tanning salons in my working life (sorry skin!) and after so much tanning, I made the decision a while ago to not tan anymore because I don't want wrinkles when I'm 25 (ps I'll be 25 next year, what the heck?!) I've used a few different products and I found 3 that I really really love! This isn't sponsored (although it would be nice to get this stuff for free haha) these are products I've used for a few years and I really can say I loveeee them!

My favorite ever self tanning stuff is Fake Bake Airbrush Tan. I linked it right to Amazon on the cheapest one I could find so you guys have it right there.

I like fake bake because it looks and goes on exactly like a spray tan you would get at a tanning salon! I always put it on right before bed so that I can sleep with it on as it develops into a pretty tan. Then in the morning, I take a quick shower to get off the extra and I have a gorgeous tan.

Tips:

1. Exfoliate with a loofa right before you spray this on so that you get off all the dead skin cells and the tan will stay longer this way, too!

2. I use this before I spray because it helps it go on super even. Not necessary but I notice it looking even better when I use this first :)

3. I bought a tanning tent (please make fun of me) because this stuff WILL get EVERYWHERE!! I used to do it in the bathroom and then my bathroom would be tan, too (not fun to clean up) If you don't want to get a tent, I also do it outside sometimes (in the back yard of course) because that also eliminates the mess. This is the cheapest tent I could find and I have this same one and it works perfect!

4. If I know I'm going to wear leggings/pants for the next week, I don't even bother spraying my legs so I don't waste product! I always spray my arms, neck, and face.

5. Grab an old towel to use to rub in any spots or streaks as you spray it. I have a little rag that I use and as long as you rub in any streaks, you're good to go! If you're too late rubbing it in, a little water on the rag will fix that right up :)

6. Wear an old or dark shirt to bed because it will rub off on your clothes a little. It comes out in the wash but I always just wear an old shirt just in case of the one time it decides to stain or something! We have a white comforter and I've never had a problem with it getting on the comforter at all.

7. Like a spray tan, this will last 7-10 days just depending on how much you sweat or shower

8. Husbands are great to get your back or other hard to reach areas :)

9. Make sure you close your eyes and mouth when you spray your face because no one wants this stuff in their eyes or mouth.

10. Best of all there are no artificial preservatives or parabens so it's safe for your skin! yay!!

If you have any other questions on this stuff, I'm happy to answer it for you!

My other favorite self tanner is Bare Minerals Faux Tan Body. I like it better for everyday use when I don't have time to spray tan! I usually just use it on my face and neck with my makeup routine.

Tips:

1. Even though it says it's for your body, it works great on my face and I've never had any problems using it on my face. I always think it's dumb they make face tanners because it's just a way to waste more money.

2. It will stain your hands if you don't wash your hands right away. It washes off pretty easily anyways but just wash your hands right after you use it :)

3. It will get darker as you layer it! Start with one layer and wait like 5 minutes (it develops a little darker right after you put it on) It's easy too go to dark so just take your time to decide how much is best for your skin tone!

That's pretty much it for Faux tan! You guys, I love being tan and I love that these products help me get tan soooo well! They both do not look orange at all which is also what I look for in a self tanner. If you try them, let me know what you think!!

Haha okay for some reason when you said make sure to close your mouth it will get darker when you later it I thought of the episode of Friends where Ross gets like three layers of spray tan on one side of his body. Hilarious.

I have used lotions and spray faux tanners and they really do work! I'm too lazy now so I just let myself be pasty and translucent these days hahaha. I'm a huge BareMinerals girl but never tried their tanner. I bet I'd love it!

hahah oh gosh, that is so funny!! I haven't seen that episode but i've heard about it! A spray tan nightmare! hahah I get lazy so much, too!! But I keep noticing I'm sooooo white so I've been trying to be better at using my stuff to stay semi tan. Yeah I love the bare minerals faux tan!! It really is awesome and the bottle lasts so long!

You're hilarious that you bought a tan tent - you're kind of my hero for it, ha! I've heard great things about the Fake Bake brand, but I've never tried it. I've had good luck with the L'Oreal stuff from the drugstore!

hahah I had to in order to stop making such a mess, it sounds so silly though!! I've heard the L'Oreal stuff is pretty good, too! I just love my fake bake so Is stopped trying tanning products after I found it :)

haha after years of working in tanning salons I'd like to think I know a little bit about tanning ;) I've heard the tan towels are awesome!! I haven't found any that are better prices than fake bake so I haven't branched out but maybe I should try them!

I've heard really good things about the Bare Minerals one. I'm like you... I used to tan in beds like CRAZY. Although I don't have premature wrinkling or anything like that, I do have some sun spots and I absolutely HATE them.

Yeah I really like the bare minerals one! I just wish it lasted a bit longer haha luckily I don't have wrinkles yet (fingers crossed!!) but yeah I have a few sun spots on my shoulders :'( thank goodness for self tanners!

I LOVE Fake Bake too - but I use their "Flawless" product that is a rub on gel type formula. It comes with a mit and is easily applied, and it's easy to keep even. It always gives me such a natural, dark looking tan without the hassle of a spray tan. I'm like you in that I know now how bad all that tanning was for me in my younger years - now it's all self tanner/fake for me!

Oooo I will need to check out flawless! I LOVE the fake bake brand, I need to try more of their products! That sounds super cool and easy to do (yay!) Thank you so much for that recommendation! My fake bake mist is almost out so obviously I will be getting flawless next :) xo

This is awesome! Just this summer I started thinking more about how I need to be more careful with my skin out in the sun. Christopher and I both get really dark in the summers because we tan easily, but that doesn't mean that we aren't still at risk! So I've been more careful with my exposure this year. Which has been good for my skin, but a bummer for me as far as not being as tan goes. So this post is super helpful! Thanks, girl!

Yay I am so glad it was helpful!! I tan pretty easily but I lose the tan SO fast, it's so annoying!! So I was constantly tanning and trying to maintain and luckily I decided that it wasn't worth the future skin damage. If you try this stuff let me know if you like it!

Aerosol spray can be found in a variety of angles. The very best of this type is the any angle spray that enables simple application particularly at hard to reach parts like legs and backs. http://www.thebronzingboutique.com/

Hi! I'm Candace & this is my blog! I'm a picture hoarder and trying not to make this intro sound too cliche. I'm obsessed with my baby and force my husband to take pictures with me more than he would like. Stay awhile and be my friend :)